Acute Inpatient Licensed Practical Nurse – LPN - Dialysis

Fresenius Medical Care•Marietta, GA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

The Acute Inpatient Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) provides safe and effective dialysis therapy as part of the hemodialysis health care team at Piedmont Atlanta Hospital. The LPN provides patient care under a Registered Nurse’s supervision and performs assigned dialysis procedures according to the patient’s treatment plan, company policies and procedures, training, state requirements, and applicable regulations. The role includes monitoring patients and equipment, documenting treatment information, reporting changes and concerns to the Hemodialysis RN, and responding to dialysis-related emergencies. The position also supports a clean and safe treatment environment, participates in quality improvement activities, staff meetings, training, and in-service education, and performs other duties assigned by the Program Manager. The work involves direct patient interaction in a healthcare facility, frequent and prolonged standing, bending, and assisting with patient movement. Travel between assigned locations and within the community, as well as travel to meetings, may be required.

Requirements

Current appropriate state licensure.
Successful completion of a training course in the theory and practice of hemodialysis.
Successful completion of CPR certification.
Effective verbal and written communication skills.
Employees must take the Ishihara Color Blindness test as a condition of employment; failing the test does not preclude employment, and reasonable accommodations may be considered.

Nice To Haves

Six months of hemodialysis experience is preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

Provide patient care under the supervision of a Registered Nurse for assigned patients in the acute setting, as permitted by state requirements.
Perform technical aspects of dialysis procedures as prescribed and directed by the Hemodialysis RN.
Report and document new or unusual incidents, information, complaints, problems, changes in patient condition, and equipment issues to the Hemodialysis RN.
Provide assigned treatments and help maintain a safe and clean working environment.
Participate in the Quality Enhancement Program, Quality Assessment and Performance Improvement activities, and process improvement activities related to patient satisfaction and quality goals.
When competency and proficiency are documented, set up and prime equipment as directed for hemodialysis, continuous renal replacement, and peritoneal dialysis therapies.
Evaluate vascular access for patency, obtain pre- and post-treatment vital signs and weights, perform vascular access cannulation as permitted by state requirements, and report difficulties or unusual findings to the Hemodialysis RN.
Document patient treatment information accurately in the patient record, including the hospital Electronic Medical System (EMS) and Acute Care Electronic System (ACES).
Ensure appropriate safety alarms are used for every treatment and record timely, accurate vital signs and treatment parameters.
Initiate renal replacement treatment according to prescribed orders, including setting blood flow rate and dialysate flow rate.
Collect and label specimens and ensure timely delivery to the laboratory according to facility policy.
Identify intradialytic problems, provide interventions as prescribed or directed, document interventions and patient responses, and report changes or unusual findings.
Monitor vascular access during treatment, including arterial and venous pressures; intervene as appropriate, document, discontinue treatment according to established procedures, and report unusual findings.
Evaluate patients before termination of venous access; obtain blood pressure, achieve hemostasis, apply appropriate dressings, evaluate patients before discharge, and report unusual findings.
Perform pre- and post-dialysis evaluations, obtain weights and vital signs, confirm initial identification, and report findings to the RN for documentation and follow-up.
Initiate basic CPR and respond to emergencies related to dialysis treatment.
Reinforce patient education provided by the RN.
Operate dialysis-related equipment safely, troubleshoot when necessary, and operate emergency equipment according to standard operating procedures.
Maintain a clean, safe, and sanitary dialysis treatment area and address blood spills according to company bloodborne pathogen control policies.
Participate in scheduled staff meetings, assigned staff training and new-employee orientation, and in-service classes related to dialysis principles and techniques.
Perform additional duties assigned by the Program Manager.